1 week ago

1 week ago

1 week ago

Big 12 Power Rankings: Iowa State Takes Our Top Spot

We took the week of New Year’s off for our Big 12 power rankings and all of us learned a lot about ourselves and the world. We’ve found that there are too many networks airing the Tournament of Roses Parade, Mark Dantonio and Rich Homie Quan are becoming best friends, and the top seven in the Big 12 basketball race will shuffle a lot between now and Selection Sunday. The four of us were all in agreement with Iowa State as the best team in the league right now and teams ranked #8-#10. Agree or disagree with us? Let us know in the comments.

1. Iowa State — 4 points (previous: 3rd)

Comment: “The Cyclones just keep on rolling. I still worry about their inability to force turnovers, but they have the fewest questions of any team among the Big 12 contenders right now.” – Brian Goodman (@BSGoodman)

Comment: “Kenny Chery might be the most underrated and efficient player in the Big 12. A point guard shooting 50.5 percent from the floor is rarely heard of at the college or pro level. He also averages more assists (5.2 APG vs 4.0) and fewer turnovers (2.1 TOPG vs 2.9) than Marcus Smart. What a find for Scott Drew.” – Nate Kotisso (@natekotisso)

3. Kansas — 12 points (previous: 2nd)

Comment: “I’m resisting the urge to really hammer Kansas for its loss on Sunday to San Diego State. The schedule has been far too difficult for this young team. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get much easier to start the Big 12. This team needs confidence, badly.” – Taylor Erickson (@tc_erickson)

4. Oklahoma State — 14 points (previous: 1st)

Comment: “The loss of Michael Cobbins for the season with an Achilles injury and the suspension of Stevie Clark has left the Cowboys vulnerable, and it showed in their 74-71 loss at Kansas State over the weekend.” – Kory Carpenter (@Kory_Carpenter)

5. Kansas State — 21 points (previous: 7th)

Comment: “This is starting to feel familiar. Bruce Weber’s squad struggles early in the season, but really seems to be hitting its stride after a win over Oklahoma State. ” – TE

6. Oklahoma — 24 points (previous: 6th)

Comment: “The Sooners’ offense isn’t the problem. Lon Kruger’s defense has held just four teams under 70 points, none of which figure to be in the NCAA Tournament conversation. Ryan Spangler and Cameron Clark will be tested by Kansas and Iowa State this week.” – BG

7. Texas — 27 points (previous: 5th)

Comment: “The Longhorns are firmly in the second tier of Big 12 teams along with Oklahoma and Kansas State. Possible NCAA Tournament teams but no real shot at winning the league.” – KC

8. West Virginia — 32 points (previous: 8th)

Comment: “The Big 12 will have six or seven teams vying for bids to the NCAA Tournament, at most. West Virginia isn’t one of those teams, plain and simple.” – NK

9. Texas Tech — 36 points (previous: 9th)

Comment: ” Credit the Red Raiders for hanging with Iowa State, but it’s hard to win games when you fail to force more than five turnovers as Tubby Smith’s team did on Saturday.” – BG

10. TCU — 40 points (previous: 10th)

Comment: “We know Trent Johnson’s squad is better this year, we’re just not exactly sure how much better. A win against Kansas State this week would be big.” – TE

Three Big 12 Games You Better Watch

Tuesday: Baylor at Iowa State (7:00 ET, ESPN2)

Wednesday: Kansas at Oklahoma (7:00 ET, ESPN2)

Saturday: Kansas State at Kansas (2:00 ET, ESPN)

Big 12 Video of the Week

Iowa State and the rest of the college basketball community lost former head coach Johnny Orr on New Year’s Eve. He was 86. Here’s how Cyclones.tv remembered Orr’s legacy.